THE SWELL SEASON (USA/Czech/Ireland 2011) **
Directed by Nick Augusrt-Perna, Chris Dapkins and Carlo Mirabella-Davis

THE SWELL SEASON is comprised of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the Irish folk duo the world fell in love with.

Their rose to fame came about with the winning of an Oscar for their best song “Falling Slowly” written for the 2006 film ONCE which they starred in.  As their
on-screen romance blurred with reality, they fell in love, recorded an album and embarked on a world tour.  The documentary THE SWELL SEASON documents two years with the couple as they take to the road living their dream.  Of course not all dreams come true.  Their love is tested and personal lives unhinge.

The documentary, shot in black and white follows Glen and Marketa closely from close moments like her cutting of his hair to skinny dipping in the cold sea.  Of course, their concerts and shot as well together with screaming fans.  Their performances are often touching and the songs moving.

There is nothing really wrong with this film but the question is whether anyone wants to watch what is basically an extended home movie about an egocentric husband and unhappy wife.  Their life on the road is often far from interesting, in fact rather boring.  When the camera offers Glen words to say, his words are often mumblings that do not make any sense.  Private and unfunny jokes (fro Glen’s mother, for example) are found aplenty throughout the film.  Characters are introduced and they have they say (like the stage hand) for no reason.  They do not make much sense either.

Though one might feel for the trouble that the couple goes through, the point is that it is basically their problem.  The film might be honest and contain vivid moments between the couple but why must the audience have to sit through 90 minutes of this film to learn about it?  THE SWELL SEASON is very strictly for the group’s fans.